| Finding a religious community |
[22 Apr 2012|05:58am] |
I grew up in a non-religious household. Perhaps "anti-religious" would be an even better term. However, I found that I needed spirituality and even religion in my life. I longed for a community that would support me in this, encourage me to think about life, and give me ideas on how to live my values. UU sounded interesting, and two years ago I was finally in the position to be able to attend services. While the church did not provide me everything I wanted, it was a good start in the right direction. About nine months ago, I moved to a county (Germany) where UU is barely recognized. I think there might be one or two fellowships in the entire country, and neither is anywhere close to where I'm living. So now I have a brand new additional religion and some books to go along with it, but I still have no community.
I joined this lj group at some point, but it's pretty quiet and so cannot meet my needs as completely as I'd like. I tried attending the Monday services at CLF once. My Internet connection was too bad for it to really work. There's a slight possibility that it will work better now, but the time is really inconvenient for me right now. The Sunday ones are out of question because of the time zone difference. Hopefully the Monday one will work out in a few months, but I'd like to get support in the meantime. I've heard about the facebook groups, but facebook honestly scares me. I've heard so many bad things about it.
Are there any other options?
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(6 had something to say)
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| How we treat others |
[06 Apr 2012|02:46pm] |
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I know this has been making the rounds, but I thought it bore repeating. This is a wonderful blog that has inspired many people, including a lot of misguided Christians, to re-evaluate their place in their faith and take a hard look at how they treat others:
http://www.danoah.com/2011/11/im-christian-unless-youre-gay.html
There have been a lot of follow-up posts on the topic, but the most poignant one making the rounds is this one:
http://www.danoah.com/2012/04/a-teens-brave-response-to-im-christian-unless-youre-gay.html
Worth a read, and certainly worth thinking about in relation not only to the LGBT communities, but other people who are different from us.
(I read a particularly sad post here on LJ about a wheelchair-bound person who, at their own church, was asked to move from handicapped seating because they were "in the way." It was disgraceful, and I hope that our homes of faith have more understanding, education and compassion for those who need just a little bit of accommodation to make them feel part of our communities.)
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(1 had something to say)
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| Missing church - - thoughts on the CLF? |
[03 Feb 2012|10:46pm] |
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It's a new year, and I had been hoping to start off with more church going, but it just doesn't seem to have been in the cards. I nearly cried on the first Monday of the year when I realized that although I had the day off, it wasn't Sunday and I'd missed church!!!
I moved to rural PA about a year ago and have experimented with the 4 UU congregations nearby. None feel like the church I left behind, but it's a special place. It's too much to ask for that. But I did find one to call home - about 25 minutes away. Maybe the lack of church going has been because of the commute? Because the winter has been freakishly warm and I've continued spending a lot of weekends outside? Because my boyfriend moved away and we've been commuting back and forth?
All I know is that I'm desperate to connect again. Have any of you ever attended CLF? How does it work for you? Would you suggest it? Can I do any part of it on weeknights?
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(7 had something to say)
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| Immigration Activism & Justice GA '12 |
[01 Aug 2011|02:14pm] |
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Anyone interested in learning more about our first and upcoming Justice GA and/or immigration activism? I was a small part of a wonderful conversation Sat. night with UUA moderator, Gini Courter and Rev. Wendy von Zirpolo, led by Rev. Naomi King. I posted it in my blog here: http://uu-mom.livejournal.com/123203.html (mostly a re-post of Rev. Naomi's work in structuring a tweetchat to look more like a typical conversation).
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(1 had something to say)
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| "Faith of an Agnostic Activist in Loving Community" |
[31 Jul 2011|05:50pm] |
Sorry I haven't been here for a while. I hang out in Facebook more often now. They have some special closed groups, such as UU Growth Lab, UU Social Media Lab, UU Young Adult Lab, and regional groups, etc. If you haven't used Facebook in a while, this might appeal to you.
Any way, I came here to share a blog post with the above title. I think some of you here may enjoy it. http://uu-mom.livejournal.com/123632.html
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(3 had something to say)
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| Letter from Selma: The Cold Case of James Reeb |
[15 Jul 2011|08:51pm] |
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The Boston Globe Magazine has a fascinating article looking back on the case of James Reeb, a UU minister who was killed in Selma, Alabama, during the civil-rights era. I certainly knew about the life of Reeb, but I didn't know that the FBI recently reopened the cold case -- and closed it again.
Don't forget to check out the slide show of photographs (you can see Dr. King marching in memory of Reeb, right next to an Eastern Orthodox priest), as well as this video, where you can hear people's voices, including Jack Mendelsohn's. (Jack Mendelsohn was the first UU minister I ever met, back when he was a comparatively young lad of 65.)
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(something to say)
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| Wondering of other young adults feel the way I do... |
[04 May 2011|09:12pm] |
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There was a time when I was very active in my church, and my youth group meetings. I was proud of my religion, proud of the principles, morals, and philosophies I was raised to respect and understand. I was glad to be among others who loved and cherished their neighbors, and respected the opinions and lifestyles of others who differ from them.
But then I started to notice a change among my peers. People would use that same upbringing, those same principles, as a pedestal from which they could look down on others. I would hear people say things which- to my mind- boiled down to: "I am open-minded and I respect other beliefs and religions... I am therefore a much better person than people of other faiths."
There are many atheists and agnostics in my peer group. I may be among them, I haven't fully decided. I see my atheist friends say, "Theists- okay, Christians (which bothers me; why do young Atheists pick on Christians?)- are cruel and closed-minded and cannot accept people who don't believe what they believe! Christians are morally corrupt and follow an out-moded system of morals." How is saying that any less closed-minded, or any more moral?
Is it just the youth? When did we stop respecting other people's right to opinion and belief? When did we stop encouraging each other to grow? I'm so tired of the pretentiousness of my fellow UU youths; treating their religion as some sort of badge to prove they are part of the "Morally Advanced, Logically Sound, Reason-Based Club."
I just can't STAND intolerant people.
“A great many people think they are thinking when they are merely rearranging their prejudices.” — William James
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(38 had something to say)
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| Lightbringers |
[03 May 2011|11:34pm] |
I have started a new website, Lightbringers, dedicated to science, technology and society from a Unitarian and Univeralist perspective.
It is my opinion that UUs are the religion best suited to deal with the problems of the 21st century with an emphasis on the practical tasks confronting us and the use of evidence-based knowledge.
I am looking for 'bloggers interested in this orientation to contribute. People who want are looking towards the future whilst learning from the past. If anyone here is interested in contributing, please let me know, or simply register an account....
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(11 had something to say)
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| Self Philosophy Development |
[12 Apr 2011|09:06pm] |
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Hey all,
One thing that I greatly admire about some of the Christians in my life is how they are able to use their faith as a touchstone and an anchor. For various reasons, I don't have any desire to follow a pre-prescribed faith but I find that I am looking for that same "deep well" to draw from. A definition of core principles and guiding standards. I'd like to define these for myself, to help in making hard decisions, provide solace, etc. Only, it's such a vague concept that I'm having a hard time envisioning what it should be--practically speaking. And in determining what sorts of things belong vs don't.
What would you consider the fundamentals of a life philosophy? Are these things you have defined for yourself? Cobbled together? Do you look directly to one specific faith? Any thoughts, comments, advice? It's all very fuzzy for me at this point.
Thanks!
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(10 had something to say)
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| Struggling to find my space |
[03 Apr 2011|09:48pm] |
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My career has, over the past 5 years, moved me from Las Vegas to DC where I landed in a fantastic UU congregation in the suburbs and now about 2 months ago to somewhat rural southeastern PA (it feels rural after Vegas and DC). There are 5 UU congregations here and after visits to 4 of them, I'm desperately homesick for my 'home congregation' back in DC. Each congregation was uniquely vital and important and doing amazing things and their space, but felt like I was an interloper amongst them.
I have been a UU since college, so I really expected this transition to go smoothly. But finding a church to call home here has me tearing my hair out.
I need your advice, fellow UUs? How long should I drag this out? If the church isn't right or doesn't FIT me, do I move on? One of them has a minister out on sabbatical, and sometimes it's tough to check the pulse of a congregation without a minister.
I also miss young people. NONE of these congregations have an under 30 group (or 35) to shake a stick at. And while I don't exclusively go to church to be with people my own age, it would help smooth the transition in the move to this area and in the church. I have left Sunday services nearly every week in tears - - feeling lonelier than I did when I walked in the doors. I'm just a completely lost.
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(21 had something to say)
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| UU church in Oregon destroyed by fire |
[15 Jan 2011|10:52am] |
It's possible you've already heard about this, but in case you haven't:
Klamath Falls, OR, church destroyed in fire
Heat lamp cause of Klamath Falls fire
The best I can do is quote Rev. Dr. Lisa Presley, District Executive of the Heartland District of the Unitarian Universalist Association of Congregations, serving Indiana, Kentucky, Michigan and Ohio:
Every now and then, one of the worst nightmares we can think of happens to one of our congregations. Such was the case this past week when the UU Fellowship in Klamath Falls, Oregon, suffered the total loss of their building and belongings in a massive fire. Even though the congregation was begun in 1960, their building was a 100+ year old landmark building in their community.
The congregation members are, of course, stunned. They don't know where they will be meeting, or as of this writing, what beyond the bell from their bell tower will they be able to salvage from the ruins. The good people in their district, Pacific Northwest (PNWD), are working hard to buoy their spirits and help them move forward.
We can help. Right now what they need is money and notes of good wishes. Financial contributions will help them find a new building, replace their piano and supplies, and bring in religious leaders (local ministers, etc.) to help them deal with the aftermath of the fire. The PNWD has set up a fund available through their website—click the Donate Now box and then scroll to the bottom where you'll find the option for "Klamath Falls Support." Notes of sympathy and encouragement may be sent to them at UU Fellowship of Klamath County, PO Box 391, Klamath Falls, OR 97601 or to their president, Barry Gumbert, at gumbertb2000@yahoo.com. Please, though, don't send money to them: they are already overwhelmed with the loss, so the District will be processing the contributions on their behalf.
She goes on to say that although they will be needing tangible goods like hymnals and other supplies eventually, now is not the time to send those, as they currently have no place to put anything like that. But every little bit helps, even if it's just $10.
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(3 had something to say)
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| Explaining UU... |
[18 Nov 2010|07:55am] |
So I posted about joining UU on facebook, because, for one thing, it makes me happy and excited! ;-0
However, this is really the first time I've been called on to explain it, not only to friends in general, but to a fundamentalist Christian family member.
How do you all think I did? I know I left a lot out, which is why I directed them to the UUA website. I just didn't want to go in depth, because I have a horror of proselytizing, although, at the same time, I am so proud of what we are, what we stand for, and what I believe in. I hope that the following gives enough and accurate information without feeling at all preachy, yet conveys how I personally feel about it.:
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UU is a non-creedal religion. There is no creed or dogma that we adhere to. What we have is a set of principles, at the core of which is a free and responsible search for truth and meaning. We acknowledge that each person has his or her own spiritual path to follow, and we respect and support them in this endeavor. We take inspiration from many different sources, including Judeo/christian teachings, humanist teachngs and earth-centered spirituallity.
That is just the nutshell version. There is more to it than that. If you're interested to learn more, the UUA (Unitarian Universalist Association) has a website. I'd post a link, but I'm not sure if FB takes html...or what. It's easy to google, though.
What I personally love most about UU is that we are actively encouraged to think for ourselves.See More
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So, please tell me what you think?
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(6 had something to say)
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| I'm officially UU! |
[17 Nov 2010|05:51am] |
We had a Pathways to Membership meeting yesterday evening, and I joined! I've known for months that this church, this religion, this congregation is for me, but I made myself wait for 6 months during which time I attended regularly, and learned as much as I could about UU's and about the congregation.
That's not to say I'm well versed in UU history, nor very articulate about UU faith, but I learned enough to know that this was a very comfortable fit for me....like an old glove. It feels like coming home after a long journey.
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(5 had something to say)
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| Hello! |
[05 Nov 2010|12:05pm] |
Just want to introduce myself. I've been attending a UU church in Tennessee for about two months now. They are _wonderful!!_ And I am glad to be among them. :)
Looking forward to your forum discussions.
Thanks!
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(6 had something to say)
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| Church of the Presidents? |
[06 Aug 2010|08:10pm] |
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Anyone a member of the Church of the Presidents in Quincy, MA. I just went on a tour to see the crypt of John Adams and John Q Adams. I almost made the tour guide cry by asking hard questions. Is this conflict a problem for the church?
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(6 had something to say)
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| An intro |
[06 Aug 2010|04:26pm] |
Hey All, I'm new to the community and decided to join as a way to decompress after working at a Catholic School all day. I'm an ex-catholic working as an art teacher in a catholic elementary school. I have found the word Unitarian is a dirty word amongst some of the teachers or some don't even know what we are. During my interview my principal even asked me if UU was a 'christian' religion.
I was turned to the UU church by chance three years ago when one of the local congregations asked me to come do a summer art program for them. Three years later I'm hooked and found for the first time in the bible belt a place where I feel welcomed and not afraid to believe in what I believe in. I feel safe and comfortable there to the point I can openly keep my tattoos uncovered while I teach or dress as colorfully as I want which was the direct opposite of how my life way when I was dealing with the catholic world. The only resistance I've gotten is from my mother who hates that two of her children have completely turned from the catholic church. She doesn't understand how UUs have made me more comfortable with who I am.
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(1 had something to say)
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